International Orientation

Tulane Law School's International Orientation Program has three components:

(1) “An Introduction to the Law of the United States” 
“An Introduction to the Law of the United States” is designed to familiarize students with the methods and structure of U.S. law and legal education. The course includes 24 hours of substantive instruction on U.S. law, and introductory training in legal research and writing, in addition to sessions on how to prepare for U.S. law school exams.

(2) Effective Advocacy 
During the Effective Advocacy segment, students will be introduced to the basics of legal writing.This will include an introduction to the unique forms and substantive requirements of legal writing. Activities will include a variety of written and reading assignments. In conjunction with this course, students will be introduced to both domestic and international legal research. This will include working with law librarians to develop research skills. Students will learn to research both domestic and international issues. The goal of the course is to prepare students for the LLM writing requirement or law journal membership.

(3) Extracurricular Activities
The program also includes organized extra-curricular activities that introduce students to each other, to Tulane University, and to the city of New Orleans and its diverse culture.


The International Orientation Program is a fundamental part of the law school’s graduate curriculum and is required for all incoming LL.M. students who do not have a J.D. from a United States law school.

The program starts before the fall semester, while the campus and School are quiet and unpopulated. Our new international students are therefore able to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere where they can meet the faculty and administrators, become familiar with the campus and its services, find housing, and build friendships with each other. Further, the faculty have the opportunity to provide in depth academic counseling and advising to our new international students.

Without exception, students have found this orientation program to be a valuable if not indispensable experience, both academically and socially. Even students who were initially uncertain about attending have found that the course was a critical foundation for success in their U.S. legal education.

Cost: $1,500